WHO top scientist lauds India for record 1 crore single-day COVID vaccinations

World
Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan has
congratulated India for administering over one crore doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
in a single day and for vaccinating 50% of its adult population with at least
one dose as the country ramps up its campaign to fight the virus ahead of a potential third wave.

“India
achieves 50% coverage (at least one dose) of adult populn – > 620 million
doses administered, 10 million in the past day! Congratulations to the
thousands of personnel involved. Vaccination, along with public health &
individual preventive measures will protect everyone!” the Chennai-born paediatrician
and clinical scientist tweeted.

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Meanwhile,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement as a “momentous feat”. “Record
vaccination numbers today! Crossing 1 crore is a momentous feat. Kudos to those
getting vaccinated and those making the vaccination drive a success,” he
tweeted last night.

India administered
a total of 1,00,64,032 COVID shots on Friday, taking the country’s vaccination
coverage to 62,17,06,882 doses. This is the highest number of doses India has
administered in a single day since the mass vaccination campaign began on
January 16.

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India has
administered one dose to at least half its adult population of 94 crore and while
around 15% of its population has received both doses of the vaccine. A total of
30,85,06,160 people in the age group of 18-44 years have received vaccine doses
while 23,98,99,849 beneficiaries in the age group of over 45 years have
received jabs, according to the health ministry.

In a tweet,
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka
Vishwas, Sabka Prayas… This is the same effort by which the country has
crossed the figure of more than 1 crore vaccines in one day. This is the result
of tireless work of health workers and PM Narendra Modi.”

A total of
30,85,06,160 people in the age group of 18-44 years have received vaccine doses
while 23,98,99,849 beneficiaries in the age group of over 45 years have
received jabs, according to the health ministry.